A UK counter-terrorism program aimed at combating extremism has reportedly flagged some of the nation’s most highly regarded works of literature, including Shakespeare, JRR Tolkien’s ‘Lord of the Rings’ and ‘The Canterbury Tales’ as works which could lead to right-wing extremism.
British tabloids discovered this month that a report from Britain’s Prevent program’s Research Information and Communications Unit (RICU) flagged these works of fiction, along with a litany of other written works, family sitcoms and films like “Yes Minister,” “The Bridge on the River Kwai” and “The Great Escape” as “key lyrics” for “white nationalists/supremacists”.
A UK government program has flagged key cultural artworks as “key texts” that could lead to right-wing extremism. (Dan Kitwood/Getty Images)
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The Prevent system is a “national safeguard program that supports people at risk of becoming involved in terrorism through radicalisation,” according to the Interior Ministry website.
Fox News Digital could not verify the extent of the list of books, films and programs marked under the government program and the Home Office could not verify the existence of the list, noting that it does not “comment on leaks of news”.
The program has reportedly been embroiled in controversy since it was created two decades ago, with some critics arguing that it discriminated against Muslims.
The program aimed at preventing terrorism has come under fresh criticism of late, albeit this time with the British questioning its effectiveness as complaints of right-wing extremism are on the rise.
The program aimed at preventing terrorism has come under renewed criticism, with the British questioning its effectiveness while complaints about right-wing extremism are on the rise. (Mike Kemp/In Pictures via Getty Images)
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The program saw an independent review — made public earlier this month and described by some publications as “harsh” — that recommended nearly three dozen improvements.
The audit ultimately argued that the program “is not doing enough to counter nonviolent Islamist extremism” and “has a double standard when it comes to the far right and Islamism”.
The review itself was rejected by human rights groups who dismissed the findings as ‘bias’ without ‘legitimation’, according to the Guardian.
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But the UK government accepted the findings and, in a commentary on Fox News Digital, a Home Office spokesperson said: ‘The Home Secretary has made it clear that Prevent will now ensure he focuses on the key threat of terrorism. Islamist, as well as remaining vigilant of emerging threats”.
“We have accepted all 34 recommendations and are committed to protecting our country from the threat posed by terrorism,” the spokesman added.
